influenza-2016_posters-accepted-abstracts

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Volume 4, Issue 6(Suppl) J Infect Dis Ther
ISSN: 2332-0877 JIDT, an open access journal
Page 65
Influenza 2016
September 12-13, 2016
conferenceseries.com
Influenza
September 12-13, 2016 Berlin, Germany
2nd International Conference on
J Infect Dis Ther 2016, 4:6(Suppl)
Molecular analysis of influenza A/H3N2 and A/H1N1pdm viruses circulating in the Democratic Republic
of Congo, 2014
Edith Nkwembe1, Roxana Cintron2, 3, Wendy Sessions 2, Hugo Kavunga1, Pelagie Babakazo3, Leonie Manya4 and Jean Jacques Muyembe1
1Institut National de recherches Biomédicales, DR Congo
2CDC Atlanta, USA
3Battelle Memorial Institute, USA
4Ecole de Santé Publique de l’UNIKIN, DR Congo
5Direction de la Lutte contre la Maladie, Senegal
6Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, DR Congo
Introduction & Aim: Influenza is a common human respiratory infection and a cause of high morbidity and mortality. However,
not much is known about influenza viruses circulating in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study aimed to characterize
genetically and antigenically those strains affecting patients in this particular country.
Methods: Nasal, throat and nasopharyngeal swabs from patients presenting with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) or
influenza-like-illness (ILI) were collected from August to December, 2014 in various surveillance sites selected in DRC and delivered
to the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) using the viral transport medium for molecular work. Viral RNA extraction
and amplification by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were done and positive influenza samples with a
Cycle threshold (Ct<30) were sent to the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology
and Control of Influenza at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta for further genetic and antigenic
characterization.
Results: A total of 32 samples were tested at INRB and were found to be positive to influenza A with Ct<30. These samples were
shipped to the US CDC in Atlanta for further sub-typing: 26 samples were influenza A (H3N2), 2 were influenza A (H1N1) pdm09,
two samples were negative for influenza by RT-PCR and two samples contained insufficient volume for testing. The majority of
influenza A (H3N2) viruses tested from DRC was antigenically related to the A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 vaccine virus, while two
influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus isolates were antigenically characterized as A/California/07/2009-like. All A (H3N2) and A (H1N1)
pdm09 virus isolates characterized in this study from DRC were sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir.
Conclusion: Two genetically distinct influenza subtypes, A (H3N2) and A (H1N1) pdm09, were found to be circulating in the DRC
during the study period. Based on these results, effective measures against influenza should be advised, including prevention of
infection by either vaccination or administration of antiviral drugs prophylactically or therapeutically.